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Click to see articles
from our archived series of interest to you:
·
Words
That Sell
·
Foul
Language
·
Don’t
be Myth-Taken
·
Picture
This
·
Specials and Guest Columnists
·
Resource
Center
·
Cut that
Out! . . . And Keep it
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Series:
Words That Sell —
Exploring the power tools of persuasive language, providing insight on
using these tools effectively.
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Words That Sell Must Fit
the Venue -- Part 2 (Focus on Direct Mail Marketing)
Your words can only achieve the desired impact when you understand the
delivery medium and mold your writing to fit it. Last month, we looked at
seven keys to effective Web writing. In this issue, we reveal five critical
ingredients of successful direct-mail marketing, revealed through
interviews with Earl Hogan, one
of our top direct-mail wordsmith specialists. Tap
into Earl Hogan's direct marketing wisdom here ...
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July
2003
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Words That Sell Must Fit
the Venue -- Part 1 (Focus on Web writing)
Do you want to bore or confuse your audience? I didn't think so. However,
unless you consider the idiosyncrasies of the medium you are using to
deliver your message, and then alter your words accordingly, your message
will whiz by your audience without impact or action. In this issue, we
tackle the online medium. Read
on for clues and tips to improve your Web communication.
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June
2003
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Words That Sell Are Interactive
Interaction is quite possibly the greatest, most powerful tool at your
disposal when you want to persuade with words. Unfortunately it is also one
of the most overlooked, underutilized tools in the seller’s or business
owner’s toolbox! You can use words to create interaction with your
prospective customer. Unfortunately, if you are unaware of the need to
employ interactivity with your language, or how to go about it, you’ll
likely never see the prospect become a customer. Read
how to use this power tool of persuasion . .
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February
2003
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Words That Sell Must
Address the Three Driving Forces of Successful Sales.
If you bypass any one of these, you are guaranteed to fail. If you master all three, your message
will persuade, leading to the desired action. Read
these secrets to driving success in sales . . .
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January
2003
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Words That Sell Must
Exhibit Consistency.
We put the power tool of consistency under the microscope, analyzing its
significance in the world of verbal persuasion, and reveal how to harness
its power to convey reliability and protect your credibility. Read
on . . .
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December
2002
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Series:
Foul Language — Miss Staitett presents infamous and otherwise unforgettable
fouled-up language: word blunders from the real world of miscommunication.
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Here are more
bizarre, embarrassing, and humorous errors, caused by speech recognition
software applications’ best guesses at what your spoken words really are.
When it transfers your talking into editable text on your computer, it may
get them right. But not always. This month we look at more
hilarious real-life "speech-to-text" translation errors,
some caught, some not.
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April
2003
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Are
professional journalists immune from errors? This list of horrendous,
hilarious news headlines ought to put that question to rest — then
again, maybe not. For
a good time, read on ...
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April
2003
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This month, I’m
afraid we have some real stinkers. As I’m sure you know, the job seeker’s
first impression on a potential employer is the resume. It is therefore
with great sorrow that I bring you this collection of excerpts
from actual resumes. Pray that none of your own resumes made this list.
Click
to read these real-life resume blunders ...
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February
2003
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An easy way to
foul up your written and spoken effectiveness is offend the recipient with
language that appears to devalue one gender or relatively favor the other.
In this issue of Foul Language, guest writer Linda Elizabeth Alexander
presents quick
tips for avoiding common mistakes regarding sexist language.
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January
2003
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The results you
get from speech recognition programs — "you-talk-it-types"
software applications that translates words spoken aloud into editable text
on your computer — must be proofread carefully since your spoken words may
sound like something else to your PC and thus be mistranslated. Here
are two embarrassing real-life blunders from speech-to-text oversights.
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December
2002
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Series:
Don’t be Myth-Taken —
Save face and gain insight into speaking and writing precisely and
concisely. Each month, we "de-mythtify" effective business
communication, revealing common writing and speaking misconceptions.
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If there is one place you want to make certain that your spelling
and grammar is perfect, it is on your resume. Or, is it résumé? Or resumé?
Wouldn’t you like to know which is the correct spelling when you’re
applying for a job? The answer may surprise you. Read
on . . .
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February
2003
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The American Revolutionary War may be long over, but the battle of
word spelling between Americans and British goes on. Is it “Ax” or “Axe?”
Is it “Realize” or “Realise?” Get
the scoop on keeping your spelling geographically correct here.
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January
2003
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Let's look at one of the most common punctuation misconceptions;
where quotation marks go in relation to punctuation (question marks, exclamation
marks, commas, dashes, colons, semicolons, or periods. Why the confusion?
Why are quotation marks so often placed incorrectly? Let's look at the rule
and its exceptions to unravel the mystery and improve your punctuation. Read
on . . .
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December
2002
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Series:
Picture This —
In each issue, we bring you an analogy — a word picture, if you will —
carefully selected for its usefulness in speeches and business writing.
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WriteWorks writer Donna
Cornelius presents a metaphor that supports team
understanding and motivation when facing difficult goals or projects. This
simple word picture powerfully conveys the process and attitudes necessary
to meet company objectives.
How? Read
on . . .
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January
2003
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The analogy of mountains and
mountaintops are particularly suitable in closing out the current year
or ringing in the new: for meaningful retrospection of accomplishments and
challenges of the past, and for toasting new opportunities. But year round,
this one proves useful. Read
on . . .
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December
2002
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Specials and Guest Writers
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The World Is but a Stage ...
In 1974, renowned short story writer and journalist Gail Godwin, said,
"Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths
theater." Inspired by this quote, guest writer Kristi Hemingway offers
a fascinating perspective on the value of acting basics as a means to
improving business communication. Click
here to read the full article...
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June
2003
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What Are You Waiting for? Become a Published
Author!
(Part 2)
I'm not going to tell you how to get your manuscript picked up by a major
publishing house, because that paradigm is fossilizing. You can pick up many
books and articles on that subject, if you want to try that route. Instead,
let's focus on the new model -- the changes taking place right now --
changes that create many new streams of opportunity for would-be published
authors. Read
on ...
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April
2003
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What Are You Waiting for? Become a Published
Author!
(Part 1)
Why aren't you a published author? Is it because you don't want to be one?
Or, is it because you've come to believe that it's an unrealistic goal?
Maybe you simply haven't considered the enormous value to your business and
career that book authorship creates. Being in the business of helping
people realize their dreams of authorship, we know from experience that
this dream is more realistic now than at any time in history. The business of book publishing has
changed dramatically in recent times, creating opportunities for those
who know the secrets of modern-day book publishing. Read
on . . .
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February
2003
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10 Tips For Successful Public Speaking
Some nervousness before giving a speech is natural, but too much can be
detrimental. These 10 tips from Toastmasters International, show you how to
positively channel that nervous energy into effective, memorable
presentations. Read
on . . .
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January
2003
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Why you Need a Company Style Guide.
This business case from WriteWorks officer Donna Cornelius exposes the
dangers of working without communication standards. She highlights key
reasons why your company — big or small — needs a style guide to house and
communicate writing standards, and what you can do to get started. Read
on . . .
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December
2002
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Resource Center — Find the best online
and off-line collections of wordsmith goodies, such as anecdotes, jokes,
grammar help, quotations and more.
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Most quotations
become famous because the words spoken take on value for all of humanity or
for all time – not just for the person or time in which it was originally
spoken. Other quotations become famous for their historic value. In either
case, quotes and sayings can awaken higher levels of thinking or inspire
new directions for our lives. They can also add credence to our own words,
which is why they are such an effective tool in speeches and in persuasive
writing. Here
is our recommended booklist for finding the right quotation for the right
occasion.
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February
2003
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There are
scores upon scores of good resources for finding famous or memorable quotes
to spice up your message. Click
here for six of our favorite online quote sites particularly helpful for
business writing and speaking.
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January
2003
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This month, since we provided punctuation usage tips in our You Must be Myth-Taken column, here
are three top Web sites for finding grammar and punctuation rules to help
your further study.
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December
2002
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Cut that Out! . . . And Keep it — Get worthwhile, easy-print reference
tidbits to print out, cut out, hand out, or put up in your office or
cubicle.
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This Since February has
graciously agreed to provide lodging to Presidents’ Day, we are using the
February issue of Business Writing That Works to honor a presidential
forefather known for his exceptional brevity, succinctness, and profundity.
You can click here to get both the text of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address and a photographic
copy of Lincoln’s
handwritten Gettysburg
address. The latter is for presentation purposes, suitable for framing. The
former (the text of his address) is an important aid; Lincoln’s handwriting is even worse than
mine.
Is this speech
relevant to us today? Consider this excerpt: “The world will little note,
nor long remember, what we say here, but it can never forget what they did
here.” Would that not be a fitting memorial to the firefighters and other
heroes of September 11,
2001?
Lincoln scrawled out his
address while riding the train to Gettysburg,
just the night before delivering what arguably become one of the most
famous speeches in history. Other famous orators of that time, such as
Edward Everett, spoke more than two hours at the event. But whose speech
went down in history? Let that be a lesson to us all . . .
§ Click
here for the text of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address
§ Click
here for a photographic copy of Lincoln’s handwritten Gettysburg address.
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February
2003
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This inspiring
December quote from our Quote of the Week e-mail, ready
to print and mount, comes from Helen
Keller: “I long to accomplish a great and noble
task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were
great and noble.”
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January
2003
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The favorite November quotation from our Quote of the Week e-mail,
enlarged for easy printing, suitable for mounting on your wall or door,
comes from Sir
Winston Churchill: "I am easily satisfied by the very best."
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December
2002
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